It’s May, the fifth month of the year and the five (5) is a number of expansion, grace and change. Let’s focus on the law of increase this month.

The first law of increase is, “As you sow, so shall you reap.” Edgar Cayce in Reading 1529-1 says, “For it is the law that as you sow, so shall you reap. And you are the sower; but leave what may be the results to your Father.”

“As you sow, so shall you reap” is a basic, organic law, which works in nature. Equally important is the fact that this law applies in our lives as well as in nature. We sow seeds with our spoken words, by acts towards ourselves and others and by our feelings and thoughts. What happens in our life is the fruit springing from those seeds. In other words, we sow the seeds of our own experience. What are you planting this spring?

A friend of mine always says “no deposit, no return.” The Universe is a mirror; as you give, it mirrors back to you the exact level of what you gave plus, because it’s a magnifying mirror. Give of your time, talent and treasure. Give to charities, those in need and to the places where you are receiving your inspiration. It’s a universal law and you will never really understand it or see it as a manifestation in your life until you do it.

If you are experiencing lack in your life, look at where you are withholding love from yourself or others. Look at how you are giving to life. Also search your heart to see if you are holding grudges or unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is a strong weed, it will strangle out all the good that is trying to blossom in your garden.

Use the law of increase rather than the negative law of decrease. When people criticize, condemn and belittle others, they do not realize that through the law of mind action, they are asking for the same things to happen to them. Never waste your time giving yourself or others the thought of decrease. Like bread cast upon the water, what you send out comes back to you multiplied and it will produce corresponding experiences in your own life.

Every negative word or thought, such as criticism or doubt, is a weed seed. In some way it is based on fear, distrust or other destructive attitudes. Pull those weeds and throw them out. Better still, do not plant them.

The law does not judge your thoughts. It just reproduces exactly what you sow. Let’s experiment with this idea of increase. When you write a letter or note to someone, send them thoughts of increase. When your phone rings, think increase for yourself and for the one who is calling. As you enter the meeting, think increase and bless the interaction with increase for you and all others involved. Declare for everyone, all people, “I bless you with a rich increase of God’s almighty good.” Speak bold words of faith and increase to them directly as well. Just a few words can work wonders for another. We are one, so when we do for another, we are doing it for ourselves simultaneously.

Give yourself thoughts of increase too. Do whatever it takes to “feel” good each day. Bless yourself. Bless your home, room by room. Bless your body, clothes, car, work place, co-workers, city, state and the world. Just by quietly working to get the feeling of prosperity and success you will draw to you prosperous-minded people you have never seen before. You will draw to you prosperous customers, clients, business associates and friends. People unconsciously go where there is an atmosphere of increase. This is how business expands rapidly and blessings flow forth.

T. Harv Eker says in The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, “Rich people take responsibility for the results in their lives and act upon the mind-set that it will work because I will make it work. They expect to succeed. Rich people focus on opportunities and poor people focus on obstacles.”

With all the layoffs, downsizing, closings, hurricanes and energy crisis, I affirm to myself, “I was born for this time and no matter what, I know the truth, God is absolutely good and God is all there is.” I know of many church closings in the past two years and I give thanks to God that our church has been growing and prospering. We are not accepting the negative reports. We are planting seeds of health, happiness and wealth daily and we are reaping accordingly. This stuff really works.

Remember that once you have planted a good seed, like a farmer, wait. Do not dig it up to see if it is growing. Be patient with the law; it always works. Be patient with yourself and avoid hurry. In the prosperous plane of life there is no hurry, force or push. Opportunity knocks all of the time. If you didn’t get a position, that position wasn’t yours, God has something better for you.

Move about your daily life as calmly as possible without undue haste, stress or fear. The moment you begin to hurry or stress you are cutting yourself off from the flow of good from the Source. When you find yourself hurrying or trying to force a result, call a halt. Relax, breathe and practice gratitude for what is and for the manifestation of your highest and best good. Always go for the highest and best… the Universe loves it when you do.

All of these methods and attitudes are a part of the prosperity law of increase. As you meditate and practice this law, it will reveal its own “ways and means” of expression to you further, in regard to your own individual circumstances.

Consider invoking the law of increase fully with these ideas: “I am now experiencing perfect health, abundant prosperity, fulfillment and happiness. I am now drawing into my world people who are loving, honest and helpful. I am now coming into an innumerable company of angels. I am now living a delicious, exciting and satisfying life. I am now able to help others live a happy, exciting and fulfilling life. I see increase for myself and all others and it is so now.”

Rev. Shaheerah Stephens is author of “The Wealth of a Spiritual Woman” and Spiritual Leader at Transforming Love Community. She is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. http://tlctheplace2b.org, 313-270-2325.